Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
NYC taxi fares and driver pay could increase for first time in 10 years
By
Karen Yi
Published Sep 18, 2022
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
By
Karen Yi
Published Sep 18, 2022
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
New York City taxi cab rates and surcharges could increase for the first time since 2012 in a move officials said would put more money in drivers’ pockets and help mitigate the effects of the pandemic.
The Taxi and Limousine Commission, which licenses yellow and green taxis, proposed a 50-cent hike to the base fare, from $2.50 to $3. The changes would also increase the rush hour surcharge from $1 to $2.50 and the nighttime surcharge from 50 cents to $1, according to the proposed rule change.
The measure would additionally hike the flat fare for trips between Manhattan and Kennedy Airport from $52 to $65. It would also add a $5 surcharge to trips to and from LaGuardia Airport and increase the surcharge to Newark Liberty Airport from $17.50 to $20.
The TLC estimated the change would bump up average passenger fares by 23%, driver revenue by 33% and medallion revenue by 30%. A medallion is the physical permit that allows cab drivers to operate.
At one point, medallions were valued at $1.2 million, after industry leaders artificially inflated their prices, an investigation by The New York Times found. When the market eventually burst, the value of a medallion plummeted, leaving drivers who had been steered toward risky loans mired in debt. The crisis led some taxi drivers to commit suicide.
The city will also launch its debt relief program for taxi drivers on Monday. After a hard-fought battle, an agreement between the union, lenders and the city offered drivers $30,000 grants to help pay off existing loans. Debts will also be refinanced at a cap of $200,000 and include a city-backed guarantee if the remaining balance is not paid by the driver.
A public hearing on the fare hikes is scheduled for October 6th at 10 a.m. and will be streamed online. To comment during the hearing, residents can email [email protected] or call 212-676-1135.
The commission will need to vote to approve the new rules before they take effect.
Tagged
new york city
tlc
taxi
taxi and limousine comission
transportation
news
Karen Yi
Karen Yi covers homelessness and poverty. She joined the WNYC and Gothamist newsroom in 2020. Before that, Karen covered Newark for the Star-Ledger and spent almost a decade working for newspapers in New Jersey and Florida. She grew up in Miami and has a dog named Cashew. Got a tip? Email [email protected] or Signal 917-589-1460.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Gatorade recall affects drinks sold in New York and New Jersey
More than 122,000 cases are being recalled over undeclared food dyes.
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Oct 5, 2026 at 4:36 p.m. ET
Gov. Hochul declares upstate NY measles outbreak a ‘disaster emergency’
The declaration is driven by rising case counts in rural areas and in neighboring Pennsylvania.
By
Caroline Lewis
News
Gov. Hochul declares upstate NY measles outbreak a ‘disaster emergency’
The declaration is driven by rising case counts in rural areas and in neighboring Pennsylvania.
By
Caroline Lewis
NYPD detective forced to retire after false statements in Brooklyn investigation
By
Charles Lane
Mamdani faces pressure to forge ahead with plan to fix polluting South Bronx market
By
Elizabeth Kim
Dominican man who shot border patrol officer in NYC sentenced to 15 years in prison
By
Samantha Max
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .